06/22/2026
Very Rare Document of Pelham History
Dated August 5th 1853
Phrenological Chart of Mary Hansler ( nee Overholt) of Pelham
(Nov 18, 1824- July 7th 1895)
Test performed on Mary when she was 29.
Mary was married to George William Hansler- June 15, 1841
*photos are Copyright2026 Pelham Historical Group “All Rights Reserved”
History of Phrenological Chart in Ontario
A 19th-century pseudoscience that linked skull bumps to personality traits), historical records of such "head readings" in Ontario are rare. Phrenologists occasionally toured Ontario towns to offer readings for a fee.
By the mid-to-late 19th century, the mainstream medical and scientific community completely rejected phrenology as a pseudoscience. Because academic institutions and trained physicians viewed it as "nonsense" or circus-style entertainment, they did not record phrenological data in official medical files or historical biographies.
Typically a person did receive a written phrenological chart, it was given to them on a single, fragile piece of paper to take home. Unless a family intentionally saved that specific chart in a private diary, scrap book, or family trunk, the document was lost or thrown away over the last 150 years.
Ref: Brock University
How fortunate for us that Mary kept this preserved for over 170 years. It is a window into what she may have been like. I can’t help but think the tester took cues on what to write simply based on how the person presented themselves to be.
Transcribed:
The lady has a very large head the mind therefore, is powerful but the temperament ____ constitution is somewhat sluggish. She has more from _____activity that is disposed to taking this world easy if circumstance afford this necessary opportunity.
She has strong domestic feelings _____ friends family and country will always be objects of interest to her. She is _____ a second nature. _____ ______by the ____ of others. She has a tendency to show ______and determination. But under ordinary circumstances she inclines to the side of mercy and peace.
Public opinion exists a confidence show of influence and her character and actions she is fond of pleasing her friends - her _____ is active and her _____ of justice strong. She is decidedly virtuous. She has a fair showing of religious feeling.
Her mutual _____are very strong. She has considerable facility in acquiring knowledge especially from observation. She has a firm musical ear. She can _____ will - family _____
Fonthill 5thAug. 1853 .
